Cold, not the I'm sick and don't want anyone around me kind of cold. But the brrrrr I'm going to need another layer to stay warm kinda cold. The weather that I've been hoping for finally got here yesterday, and I couldn't be happier about that. I love this time of year, the leaves changing colors, sliding on an old winter coat that's been waiting for you all summer long, your breath hanging in the air as you breath out like smoke. these things all just feel right to me. One of the things that I like the most though is that the trails seem to call to me that much more this time of year, gone are the weekend warriors and the noobs, gone are the fair weather riders and the dog walkers, gone are crowded parking lots. I like the fact that I'm not only willing but excited to go out and ride when most others are happy to stay at home and wait for warmer weather. Riding when it's cold is like riding in the rain for me, which is another thing that I really like to do. It cleanses the soul, it has this feeling of compressing whatever it is that is bothering you and turning the volume way down on it and making you realize how much you enjoy this. My best rides have always been on days where others would have hung up their bikes rather than strap on a helmet.
Last night we had a small turn out for the Thurs. Urban ride, Bam Speedy and myself were the only regulars w/ two new folks showing up Emily and her friend Mario. Both pretty strong riders and very enthusiastic to be out there riding trails that they had no idea were there. I really like it when new riders show up on this ride b/c it's great to see the light turn on inside their heads when they see there are other things to ride out there than groomed trail and road. I keep coming back to this ride not only b/c I like it but b/c it makes me a better rider every time I take to the route. I see something new every week on it, and try to remember everything that is there so I can try something different next week.
The ride started with a trip over to Morning side trails, which is a newer section of trail that we've been trying to incorporate into the ride but having some trouble finding the best way to get there. We were hoping to meet up w/ Rob and Aimee and a special guest Gene Hamilton, however our schedules didn't line up and we never did see them. We managed to get in the new trail plus half of the old route up to Emory, just before the coast off section, before we had to turn back towards the beer. Bam Bam gave Mario a shot of SoCo from his water bottle under the ruse that it was water when we got over towards frat row at Emory. Apparently from what Emily told us Mario doesn't really drink anymore and a little goes a long way in his bloodstream. Well you would have thought that it was Popeye on spinach the way this guy came to life. He was gone waaaaaay of the front riding hard and whooping even without a light to show the way. Eventually we caught up to him when he got to an intersection and wasn't sure which way to go, I'm pretty sure that that given a long enough road w/out direction options we'd have never seen Mario again!
Anyway, we're taking a break from the ride next Thurs since it's Thanksgiving, but I hope they and some of the other regulars come out again.
Birthday ride at Raccoon tomorrow, 30 is closing in fast! I really don't care about turning 30, it's just another number to me and I still feel much younger so I'm pretty apathetic about the whole matter. I am looking forward to seeing my Chattaboogie friends and getting my hands on some Yazzoo brew, and of course checking out some new trail. Ride hard and stay warm this weekend folks, I'll catch up w/ ya on monday
POAS
Matt-
Last night we had a small turn out for the Thurs. Urban ride, Bam Speedy and myself were the only regulars w/ two new folks showing up Emily and her friend Mario. Both pretty strong riders and very enthusiastic to be out there riding trails that they had no idea were there. I really like it when new riders show up on this ride b/c it's great to see the light turn on inside their heads when they see there are other things to ride out there than groomed trail and road. I keep coming back to this ride not only b/c I like it but b/c it makes me a better rider every time I take to the route. I see something new every week on it, and try to remember everything that is there so I can try something different next week.
The ride started with a trip over to Morning side trails, which is a newer section of trail that we've been trying to incorporate into the ride but having some trouble finding the best way to get there. We were hoping to meet up w/ Rob and Aimee and a special guest Gene Hamilton, however our schedules didn't line up and we never did see them. We managed to get in the new trail plus half of the old route up to Emory, just before the coast off section, before we had to turn back towards the beer. Bam Bam gave Mario a shot of SoCo from his water bottle under the ruse that it was water when we got over towards frat row at Emory. Apparently from what Emily told us Mario doesn't really drink anymore and a little goes a long way in his bloodstream. Well you would have thought that it was Popeye on spinach the way this guy came to life. He was gone waaaaaay of the front riding hard and whooping even without a light to show the way. Eventually we caught up to him when he got to an intersection and wasn't sure which way to go, I'm pretty sure that that given a long enough road w/out direction options we'd have never seen Mario again!
Anyway, we're taking a break from the ride next Thurs since it's Thanksgiving, but I hope they and some of the other regulars come out again.
Birthday ride at Raccoon tomorrow, 30 is closing in fast! I really don't care about turning 30, it's just another number to me and I still feel much younger so I'm pretty apathetic about the whole matter. I am looking forward to seeing my Chattaboogie friends and getting my hands on some Yazzoo brew, and of course checking out some new trail. Ride hard and stay warm this weekend folks, I'll catch up w/ ya on monday
POAS
Matt-
